Toms discount

TOMS Shoes is offering $5 off all shoes when you use the code "AFFTM5" by December 31. Click here to get your coupon!

For the host(ess)

The Christmas season brings unique challenges for gift-givers, like buying for the teenager who is never satisfied and making conversation with the odd and distant relative who insists on coming to dinner this year. There is also the recurring issue of host(ess)* gifts, which are certainly not limited to the holiday season but seem to arise more frequently during this time.

*I will use the female form in this post, for simplicity's sake, but I readily acknowledge that men can and do make great hosts who deserve an equally special gift. If you are giving to a couple, choose a less feminine gift that both hosts will enjoy.

Hostess gifts show your appreciation for being invited to the event (and ensure that you will be at the top of the guest list next year). Although they are not required for every event you attend, a gift is always a nice way to say thank you. A good rule of thumb is to use the event's length and degree of formality to guide you in what to bring. Gifts are required for overnight visits and formal dinner parties and optional for cocktail parties and casual meals.

Remember, gift giving is not about you, and this applies doubly to hostess gifts. Feel free to bring a gift of food or drink, but don't expect that it will be served at the event. If your hostess chooses to do so, that is perfectly fine, but realize that the menu was set before your gift arrived and may not accommodate your nonetheless appreciated present. Your gift is first and foremost for the hostess, and once it is received she is free to do with it as she likes.

Here are some ideas to help you find the perfect gift for your hostess, regardless of the event you are attending:

• Food: desserts are always a hit, but breads or your specialty dish will also do the trick. Try to make the dish something that is easy to transport and fuss-free.
• Drink: wine, spirits, or a non-alcoholic beverage (like sweet tea or lemonade) is a nice treat for the hostess to enjoy later, or serve at the event if she chooses
• Restaurant gift certificate: say "thank you" for your hostess's hospitality by giving her a meal that she doesn't have to prepare
• Flowers: have them delivered if possible; if not, be sure to bring them in a vase so your hostess doesn't have to find a container while welcoming guests
• Ornament: an appropriate choice for holiday parties
• Token from home: if you are gifting to a person in a different geographic locale, think about bringing an item that represents your home area, such as a local delicacy or craft

Monogrammed tray from The Stationery Studio ($46); they also have Lucite versions for $98

Games are a great choice for frequent entertainers. I am a big fan of Would You Rather?, Electronic Catch Phrase, and Apples to Apples.

Custom House monogrammed coasters ($15.95 for 50)

State dish towels ($20) from Uncommon Goods, also available in city, region, and country styles

Mingle plates from Pottery Barn ($24 for 4)

Wine preserver from Brookstone ($29.95)

Monogrammed pillar candle ($24.99) from Simply Southern

Wine cork place card holders ($15 for 8) from Uncommon Goods

No matter what gift you choose, be sure to send a thank you note promptly after the event. I love this Lilly Pulitzer set ($60 for 25 cards) from The Stationery Studio.

What are some of your favorite hostess gifts to give or receive?

For the bookworm

There's nothing like a good book. Books should be a staple in your gift-giving arsenal because everyone has hobbies and interests and someone, somewhere, has written a book about them.

But some people's affinity for books stretches to an entirely different level. They love all books - romance, travel, sci-fi, how-to, self-help, inspirational, deprecating, fiction, non-fiction, historical, kitschy. They love the freshness of starting a new book, the rush of getting to the "good part," and the slight sadness when the experience is over, which is quickly replaced by the anticipation of the next adventure that will enthrall them. I can readily identify with these people. I am the Gift Guru, and I am addicted to books.

If your recipient is anything like me - someone who always has her nose in a book, stops by the local bookstore on his way home every day, or repeatedly asks you "Read any good books lately?" - then you, dear reader, are shopping for a bookworm. Here are a few tips to help feed your recipient's insatiable need for books:

eReaders and Accessories
These gadgets are all the rage right now among serious readers. They allow readers easy access to and storage for lots of books, magazines, and newspapers, and some offer additional features like Wi-Fi, 3G, and online bookstores. The two most popular dedicated models are Amazon's Kindle and Barnes & Noble's NOOK.

Kindle's $139 version (above) has Wi-Fi and the $189 version has Wi-Fi + 3G. Find accessories at Amazon's Kindle store.

NOOK color (above) starts at $249 and the original NOOK sells for $149 and up. Barnes & Noble is also offering 50% off stylish NOOK original and color accessories for a limited time.

Memberships
Although they may seem expensive to casual shoppers, annual membership programs are essential for any serious book buyer. Your bookworm recipient will immediately see savings on his book purchases and will likely get special offers from the store as well. My favorites are Barnes & Noble ($25), Books-A-Million ($20), and Amazon Prime ($79).


FEED Read 3 bag
The FEED Foundation, which I mentioned here, offers a great bag for book lovers. For $25.00 they will donate 3 books and 3 school meals to needy children and your recipient gets a nifty bag, shown here and available on the FEED website.

Gift Cards
Sometimes the best gift for a book addict is, unsurprisingly, more books. A gift card to his favorite bookstore is always a great present, and will save you the time and stress of trying to determine what books he already has, might want, or has absolutely no interest in. If your bookworm has (or is getting) an eReader, a gift card for new ebooks or accessories is a nice choice.


Languages and Editions
Every bookworm has her favorite books and, following the rule of jewelry and chocolate, there is no such thing as too much. Consider getting her a different edition than the one(s) she owns, such as a first edition (sure to win you major points) or special collector's edition. Abe Books has a great selection of hard-to-find books, especially first editions. If you are feeling especially gracious, consider giving a first edition of The Catcher in the Rye - it's only $22,500!

I started a new tradition on my last trip to Europe to commemorate my favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I bought a copy of the book in the language of each country I visited. I enjoyed visiting different countries' bookstores and now I have a lovely little collection (French, German, and Spanish) that will continue to grow as I travel. I am willing to bet that your bookworm would love a foreign edition of her favorite book, especially in its original language and/or country of publishing (or bought at a special bookstore, like Shakespeare and Company in Paris). I know that the Harry Potter books, among others, have different cover art in the UK than in the US, and some even have different titles!

I bought the French version of Pride and Prejudice in Montmartre, Paris, but it's also available from Amazon

Secret Storage Books
Secret storage books (aka hollow books) provide another interesting twist on traditional books and allow your recipient to hide items almost in plain sight. You can find books with cut-outs in the shape of a flask (sometimes with the flask included), gun (hopefully without the gun included), and a simple rectangle or arch. Some books are originals that have been modified while others are reprints or even specially manufactured for use as hollow books. One of my favorite providers is Secret Storage Books, which offers both converted and new hollow editions.

Dracula ($29.99) is one of my favorites and is sitting on my shelf at home

Book Purses
Female bookworms may enjoy a purse made from an old book, especially if the book is one of her favorites. I love Kate Spade's classic clutches (below) and retrograndma's Nancy Drew bags at Etsy.

Book of the Month clutch ($325) from Kate Spade

Furniture
Every bookworm needs the proper hardware to set the stage for an epic reading experience. Hammacher Schlemmer has some great items that go beyond the simple bookcase.

Bedtime Reader's Nightstand ($199.95) holds lots of reading material and keeps it all tidy.

New York Public Library reading table lamp ($379.95) is the same one designed for the library by its architects. Also available in desk lamp ($359.95) and reading floor lamp ($499.95) sizes.

Configurable Reading Lamp ($299.95) holds any position to give readers optimal light and reduce eye strain.

Here are some coupons to use as you shop for your bookworm:

• Barnes & Noble is offering free shipping on orders of $25 or more
• Abe Books is offering free shipping, no minimum purchase requirement
• Krause Books, which focuses on special-interest books and collectors guides, is offering 10% off your order, with no minimum purchase requirement

Happy shopping (and reading)!

Special offer from Cabela's!

From now until December 17, outdoor outfitter Cabela's is offering free shipping on orders of $99 or more. Click here to take advantage of this special offer, which is not available to the general public!

For the greater good

When you think about gift-giving, your focus is naturally on your recipient - what are his interests, likes and dislikes, and needs. But gift-giving is also an opportunity to make an impact on someone other than your recipient. The next time you are brainstorming for a gift, consider choosing something that will benefit the greater good. Charitable gifts are especially great for recipients who are socially conscious, dedicated to a cause, or already have everything (and thus present a unique challenge in gift-giving).

If you want to give your recipient something she can use, decide on an item and then search the web to see if anyone offers the same or similar items attached to a charitable purpose. For example, if you want to give her shoes, consider Toms instead of a normal shoe store brand. But don't be afraid to give a gift that doesn't put anything in your recipient's hands - most people will care more about the donation in their name than about having another item in their lives.

If you just want to make a donation in your recipient's name, your possibilities are endless. Most organizations (even businesses) will accept donations on your recipient's behalf, even if they are not the traditional "charity" group. Just call their office or visit their website for more information. They will probably provide you with documentation of your gift (a letter or certificate) acknowledging the gift on your recipient's behalf, which is great to present to your recipient as his gift. Choose a group that is meaningful to your recipient, such as an animal shelter for a pet lover, the American Cancer Society for a cancer survivor, or the local arts council for a ballerina or musician. Some charities are primarily research or grant organizations, while others provide tangible items to the people they help. Whatever your fancy, you can find exactly what you're looking for.

A word of warning: do a little research into any organizations you aren't familiar with. Most charity groups are legitimate, but some are only in it for the money. Check out the organization's operating expenses and the percentage of funds they use for charitable purposes at Charity Navigator, which is also a great resource to help you find the perfect charity to receive your donation.

There are tons of worthwhile products and causes for you to choose from. Here are some of my favorites from around the web:

Toms Shoes are one of my favorite products these days. For each pair you purchase, Toms gives a pair to a shoeless child in a foreign country. There are lots of different colors and styles, and you can even get white ones and create your own design for your recipient! I especially love the yellow wedges (I am wearing these in my brother's wedding!) and the classic red canvas (I have owned them for 2 years and they are still going strong!), and I've got my eye on a pink glitter pair (so fun!).

FEED bags are roomy, durable, and reversible burlap bags that use money from your purchase to provide meals to school children around the world through the UN World Food Programme. You can buy bags, clothing, and jewelry, and can even order customized products. My FEED 1 bag stood up to a year of abuse from law books and is still in good shape.

These gorgeous bracelets from Same Sky are made by HIV+ Rwandan women who survived the country's 1994 genocide, and the profits benefit female artisans worldwide. They come in a variety of colors that are great for mixing and matching.

These cute animals are just a few of the many gift options available from organizations like Samaritans Purse and World Vision, which offer critical supplies to people in developing nations. You can give animals, wells, medicine, food, vocational training, and freedom from sexual exploitation, among others. These organizations also offer disaster relief, sponsorship of a needy child, and many other worthwhile causes.

Adopt an Animal programs - whatever your recipient's favorite animal is, you can find a group that rescues, protects, fosters, or prepares them for adoption. Gorillas, polar bears, tigers, pandas, sharks, butterflies - you can find anything you're looking for from the World Wildlife Fund or one of many other great preservation groups. One of my favorites is the WWF's Tub of Cubs, which lets you adopt a tiger cub, a cheetah cub, and a snow leopard cub, all for only $50! (Photo from Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International)

Humanitarian organizations receive an influx of donations when a disaster occurs, but they need funds in between those times as well. Consider making a donation to a group like the Red Cross or Habitat for Humanity. The Red Cross also offers the ability to provide specific relief supplies and purchase  products for your recipient, like first aid kits and emergency preparedness packages.

Local Opportunities
Don't forget about your/recipient's local organizations. These groups often need the most help, especially around the holidays. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Soup kitchens
• Goodwill/Salvation Army
• Religious groups or houses of worship
• Schools
• Animal shelters
• Scholarship funds
• Camps
• Vocational training groups
• Battered women's shelters

For more charitable gift ideas, check out Charitable Gift Giving Blog and Shopping for a Change. 

What are some of your favorite charitable organizations and/or gift ideas?